Can washer



Nov, 2, 1943. w. DE BACK 2,333,094

' CAN WASHER Filed Jan. 6, 1941 4 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS I Nov. 2, 1943,

;w. DE BACK CAN WASHER Filed Jan. 6, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 W J a? 3 I if I a M Z I 'l 5' r: if 3/ f 9 37 I 6 7 W 6. 3 7 9 1 l A z 6/ f5 26 7:; 1/6 4 355 60 4 a a E @I 7. v66 46 z Z30 Z/f r20 l I 3 32 I 707 2? y5 108 l l 66 100 10/ 72 m 709 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS a 2 'isto Patented Nov. 2, 1943 z,s3a ,o94

CAN WASHER' I William do Back, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to Chisholm Ryder Company,

Incorporated,

Niagara. Falls, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 6, 1941, Serial No. 373,275 (01. 141-7) 19 Claims.

This invention relates to a can washer and more particularly to a. machine for continuously washing and sterilizing the procession of cans being conveyed to apparatus for filling the cans with foodstuffs.

One of. theprovide such a can washer and sterilizer which is adapted to be inserted in an inclined canway along which by gravity thereby to provide for the washing and sterilization of the cans without altering or disturbing the arrangement of the existing system through which the cans are passed.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a can washer and sterilizer which is in the form of a self-contained unit capable of being suspended from orsupported by any suitable sup port and which can be readily incorporated in any canway.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a can washer and sterilizer in which the cans are thoroughly washed and sterilized while the empty cans are conveyed V principal objects of the invention passing in a. continuous procession and in which the cans arethoroughly drained before being dlscharged.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a can washer and sterilizer which is readily accessible for the purpose of cleaning and adjustment.

Another object is to provide such a can washer and sterilizer in which the cans are positively propelled without danger of injury to the empty cans.

Another purpose is to provide such a can washer in which out Of round cans are restored to their proper cylindrical form.

Another purpose is to provide such a can washer and sterilizer which is readily adjusted to handle diflerent sized cans.

Another purpose is to provide such a can washer and sterilizer which is automatically started in operation by the cans first rolling down the canway into the can washer and sterilizer and in which the operation of the can washer and sterilizer continues as long as the line of cans progresses through the machine.

Another purpose is to provide such a can washer and sterilizer the operation of which is automatically stopped after all of the line of cans has passed through the same.

Another aim is to provide such a' can washer and sterilizer which is also automatically stopped in the event that the movement of the line of cans leaving the can washer and sterilizer is obructed.

Other objects are to provide such a can washer which is extremely compact and simple in con struction and which will function efiiciently and stand up under conditions of severe and constant use without getting out of order or requiring repairs.

In the accompanyin drawings:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a can washer and sterilizer embodying my invention and showing the manner in which it is inserted into an inclined canway.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof viewed from theinlet side Fig. 3 is a front elevation.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken online 44, Fig. 2.

Fig; 5 is a wiring diagram showing the mannor in which the electrical connection is made between the control switches, the solenoid valve, and the drive motor.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 6--6, Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 'l--1, Fig. i.

Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged section similar to Fig. 6 and showing, in greater detail, the construction of the nozzles which discharge steam and hot'wate'r into the interiors of the passing line of cans.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section through the solenoid valve controlling the admission of steam and hot water to the hopper, this section being taken. on line t--9, Fig. 6.

Fig. 1G is a vertical section taken on line iil-iil,Fig. 6.

Figs. 11 and 12 are vertical sections, taken on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 10.

The can washer. and sterilizer forming the subject 01' the present invention is adapted to be inserted-man inclined canway 20, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the empty cans 2i rolling down this canway being carried in a throw lar looped path through the sterilizer and washer and being returned to the downstream part of the canway 2U for-delivery to the can filling machine.- .While traversing the circular looped path through the can washer and sterilizer, the cans are rotated" and sprays of hot water and steam are directed into the cans to thoroughly clean and sterilize them and the cans are held in an inclined position so that the wash water immediately drains out. The cans are positively carried through the washer and sterilizer in a manner which tends to true up any cans which are out of round and. the washer and sterilizer is rendered entirely automatic in its operation, starting when the line of cans first enters, stopping when the trailing end of the line of cans leaves and stopping whenever the movement of the cans in the downstream part of the canway is impeded, as by shutting down the can'filling machine.

The housing for the can washer and cleaner is shown as comprising a casting having a cylinoutlet necks 29 and 3|, this partition dividing at its upper end to provide the curved top wall 33 for. the inlet neck 29 and a curved top wall 34 for the outlet neck 3|. The cans delivered by gravity into the inlet neck 29 from the upstream part of the canway 20 are supportedby a forwardly projecting ribbed shelf or bottom wall 35 which delivers the rolling cans against the central partition 32. This partition deflects the cans into a circular passage 36 in the cylindrical housing through which the cans are posiitvely propelled in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 10, as hereafter described. From the circular passage 36, the cans are delivered into the outlet neck 3| in which the cans are supported on a ribbed bottom wall 31 of this outlet neck. As best shown in Fig. 10, this bottom wall 31 of the outlet neck is provided with an inner elevated portion 33 forming a shoulder 40 over which the cans are delivered to a depressed outer portion 4|. From the outlet neck the cans 2| are delivered to the downstream part of the canway 20. The inlet and outlet necks 29 and 3| are in line with each other so that the housing can readily be inserted in a straightsection of the canway 2D. V

The rear walls 28 and 30 of the inlet and outlet necks 29 and 3| are arranged in a; vertical plane and the top walls 33 and 34 and the bottom walls 35 and 31 of these necks extend horizontally forward therefrom so that the inlet and outlet necks aline properly with the upstream and downstream parts of the canway 20. However, the axis of the lower cylindrical part 25 of the housing is inclined relative to the horizontal so that its rear wall 2| is inclined relative to the vertical plane of the rear walls 25 and 3|! of the inlet and outlet necks 29 and 3|. as best shown in Figs. 2 and 6. The lower cylindical part 25 of the housing is inclined in this manner so that the cans 2| are carried around the circular passage 36 in a tipped or inclined position to drain I the wash water which is sprayed into the interior of the line of cans. This wash water is discharged through a drain 42 in the bottom of the housing 25. v

To guide the cans intheir passage through the inlet neck 29, circular passage 35 and outlet neck the rear walls 28, 21 and 3|! are formed'to provide a pair of spaced forwardly projecting shallow ribs 43 which follow the path of the cans through the washer and against which the rims at the open ends of the cans are adapted to bear and in the outlet neck 3|, a third rib 44 is shown as interposed between the pair of ribs 43.

the ends of tie rods 41.

The open front of the cylindrical lower portion 25 of the housing is closed by a removable cover plate 45 which can be .removably secured in any suitable manner as by wing nuts 46 applied to The open fronts of the inlet and outlet necks 29 and 3| and the top part of the cylindrical housing 25 are covered by a plate 48 which can be removably secured in any suitable manner as by screws 49.

A gasket 50 can be interposed between the lower part cover plate 45 and the peripheral wall 26 of the casting 25 to prevent the leakage of wash water, and to the inner faces of the front cover plates 45 and 48 are preferably welded shallow ribs 5| and 52 which conform to the shallow ribs 43 and 44 cast in the rear walls of the housing and which serve to engage the bottom rims of the passing cans 2| and guide them through the washer.

At its center the upper front cover plate 49 is extended laterally over the housing 25 to provide a bed 55 for an electric motor 56, this bed being suitably braced as indicated at 51.. To the front end of the shaft of this motor is secured a drive pulley 58 which is connected by a belt 59 with a pulley 60 on the front end of a horizontal drive shaft 6|. As best shown in Fig. 6, this drive shaft is journaled in a pairof bearings 62 pro-.

vided on top of the partition 32 intermediate the top walls 33 and 34 of the inlet and outlet necks 29 and 3| and extends through an opening 33 provided on the upper front cover plate 48. A pinion B5 is fast to the rear end of the drive shaft 5| and meshes with a large gear wheel 66 fast to 'a shaft 61 which is journaled in an elongated forward end of the shaft 61 and is arranged coaxially within the lower cylindrical part 25 of the housing, this rim carrying a facing or tire not a soft, resilient material such as rubber. This rubber facing 12 of the wheel 10 forms the means for positively propelling the empty cans through the can washer,

For this. purpose, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 10, an annular series of shoes or plates 15 are arranged within the cylindrical lower part of the housing 25 and are mounted to yieldingly hold the cans 2| .against the rubber facing of the wheel 10 in their movement through the circular passage 36. Each of these shoes or plates 15. as best shown in Fig. 10, has its leading edge bent outwardly, as indicated at 13, and its trailing edge also bent outwardly, as indicated at 11., to insure the smooth transfer of the cans from one shoe to the next and the shoes are comparatively narrow in a fore and aft direction so as to engage which extends radially'inward toward the shaft 61. Each of these bell crank levers 86 is pivotally supported on a pin 88 which is in turn supported by a pair of ears 89 projecting rearwardly from the rear wall 21 of the housing 25 and integral therewith. Each of these pins 88 is arranged parallel with the corresponding pivot pin 8| and the arm 85 of each bell crank lever projects forwardly through an opening 90 provided in the rear wall 21 of the housing 25 between the corresponding pair of supporting ears 89. The swinging movement of each of the shoes I5 about its pivot pin BI is limited by engagement with its supporting arms 85 on opposite sides of the pivot pin BI, each of these arms being extended beyond its pivot pin 8|, as indicated at 9|, for this purpose.

To hold the round walls of the line of cans 2I yieldingly in engagement with the rubber facing I2 of the drive wheel I0, a helical compression spring 95 is interposed between the rear wall 21 of the housing 25 and each of the radial arms 81 of the bell crank levers 86. For this purpose each of these radial arms 81 of the bell crank levers 86 is provided adjacent the supporting pin 88 with a forwardly opening cup shaped socket 96 which houses the rear end of the corresponding helical compression spring 95. The front end of each of these springs 95 embraces a retaining pin 91 formed integrally with the rear wall 21 of the housing 25 and projecting rearwardly therefrom adjacent the corresponding opening 90.

The degree or range of movement of the bell crank lever 86 is limited by an oversize peripheral channel I provided in an axially movable sleeve IIII loosely mounted on the rearwardly projecting end of the elongated bearing 68, as best shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. For this purpose the free end of each of the arms 81 of the bell crank levers 86 is provided with a rounding head I 02 which is disposed within the peripheral channel I00, as best shown in Fig. 6, but is substantially smaller than this channel so that the bell crank lever is free'to move within the limits provided by this channel, in response to variations in the diameters of the cans 2| and in response to the yielding returning movement of the helical compression springs 85. Thus if any of the cans ii are out of round, the shoes I5 are permitted to yield to accommodate the enlarged diameter of these cans in the direction of the bulge, until the cans are restored to their round form on being rolled along between the succession of shoes I5 and the rim of the driving wheel I0. I

The can washer is capable of being adjusted to handle cans of different sizes and for this purpose means are provided for adjusting the positicn of the sleeve IOI which controls the normal distancing of the annular series of shoes from the rubber surface of the drive wheel I0. For this purpose a shifting fork I05, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 7, is provided, this shifting fork having an aperture I06 at its center which receives an ear I01 carried by the rear wall 21 of the housing and being connected to this ear by a pivot pin I08. The inner end of the fork I05 is bifurcated to provide a pair of arms I09 which embrace the sleeve IOI and each of these arms is provided with an inwardly extending pin IIO which is arranged within the channel I00 of the axially movable sleeve IOI. The outer end of the fork I05 is formed to provide a handle I II which traverses a scale plate II2 which is suitably secured to the rear wall of the outlet neck 3I, this scale being preferably graduated in accordance with the different sized cans handled by the washer. For the purpose of adjusting the handle III of the fork I05 to different positions along the scale H2, a curved threaded rod H5 is anchored in an ear provided at the corner between the rear and peripheral walls housing 25, as best shown in jecting rearwardly through an aperture provided in the handle III of the fork I05. Nuts IIB are provided on this curved threaded rod II5 on opposite sides of the handle III, the adjustment of these nuts, of course, determining the position of the handle along the scale H2 and hence the position of the sliding sleeve IM and the normal position of the annular series of shoes I5 which are positioned by this sleeve.

While traversing the circular passage 36 in the housing 25, the interior of the empty cans 2| are sprayed first with hot water and then with steam as they roll around between the central drive wheel 10 and the annular series of yielding shoes "I5. For this purpose, the rear wall 21 of the housing 25 is formed on its rear side to provide a loop-shaped manifold I20 one end of which is formed to provide a boss I2I which is connected with a hot water pipe I22 other end of which is formed to provide a boss I23 which is connected with a steam pipe I24. These bosses I 2I and I23 are shown as located near the top of the housing and to divide the manifold I20 into hot water and steam sections a partition I25 of any suitable form, as hown in Fig. 4, can be provided in the manifold. The hot water pipe I22 admits hot water to that side of the manifold I20 adjacent the inlet neck 29 and the steam pipe I24 admits steam to that side of the manifold adjacent the outlet neck 3i.

To discharge the hot water and steam so admitted to the manifold I20 axially into the interior of the empty cans 2I traversing the circular passage 36, an annular series of nozzles I30 is provided in the rear wall 21 of the housing 25 and communicate with the interior of the manifold I20. Each of these nozzles I30, as best shown in Fig. 8, comprises a threaded stem I3I which is screwed into an opening I32 provided in that part of the rear wall 21 of the housing which forms the front wall of the manifold I 20, and an enlarged head I33 which is formed to provide a wrench socket I34. Each nozzle is provided with an axial bore I35 leading to a discharge orifice.

The nozzles I30 are screwed into the rear wall 21 of the housing from the rear side thereof and for the purpose of applying a wrench to the socket I34 of each of the nozzles and of completely removing each nozzle from the manifold, the manifold I20 is provided in its rear wall and in register with each nozzle with a removable screw plug I36 of sufficient size to permit the Fig. 7, and prowithdrawal of the nozzles.

Since the cans pass with their open ends facing the wall 21, it will be seen. that the interior of the cans are thoroughly sprayed, first with hot water and then with steam so as to be thoroughly washed and sterilized. Since the axis of the lower cylindrical part of the housing 25 is disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal in which the wash water will drain out of the cans, it will be seen that the cans are thoroughly drained as well as washed.

The admission'of both the steam and the hot water to the manifold I20 is under the control of a valve I40 actuated by a solenoid I4I. As best shown in Fig. 9, this solenoid actuated valve includes a cylindrical body I42 having an axial through bore I43 in which a valve rod I44 is fitted, one end of the through bore being closed by a screw plug I45 and the other end being closed by a stuffing box I46 which surrounds the 21 and 26 of the and the valve rod Hi l. The valve body M2 is provided at one side with a pair of bosses iii and I48, the boss I4! having a bore I49 communicating with the through bore I43 and connecting with the steam pipe I25 and the boss I48 having a bore I50 communicating with the through bore Hi3 and connecting with the hot water pipe I22. On the opposite side of the valve body, a pair of bosses I55 and I56 is provided, the boss E55 having a bore I? communicating with the through bore I43 opposite the bore I69, and connecting with a steam supply pipe I58 and the boss its having a bore I59 communicating with the through bore I43 opposite the bore I50 and connecting with a hot water supply pipe ltt.

The solenoid MI can be of any suitable form and is shown as contained within an enclosing body IIiI supported on an extension I62 of the valve body I42. When the solenoid MI is energized its core (not shown) is actuated to move the valve rod I66 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 9, or away from the screw plug 845. In this position of the valve rod IN a reduced portion N5 of the valve rod is brought into register with the steam bores I49 and I5? and a reduced portion its of the valve rod is brought into register with the hot water bores tit and I59 so that both steam and hot water can flow from the supply pipes into the pipes connecting the valve with the manifold, the hot'water flowing from the hot water supply pipe I563 through the bore I59 past the reduced part liili of the valve rod M4 and through the bore I58 and pipe. I22 into the right hand side of the manifold .28, as viewed in Fig. 4, from which it is discharged through the nozzles 93% into the cans traversing the left half of thecircular passage as viewed in-Fig. 10.

Similarly the steam from the steam supply pipe I58 flows through the bore id'i, past the reduced part (IE5 of the valve rod its and through the bore M9 and pipe 324 into the left hand side of the manifold are, as viewed in Fig. 4, from which it is discharged into the cans'traversing the right half of the circular passage 36, as viewed in Fig. 10.

When the solenoid MI is deenergized, a helical compression spring I10 acting against a collar I'lI fast to the valve rod I44 moves the valve rod to the extreme right position illustrated in Fig. 9 in which enlarged parts of the valve rod I44 block the flow of hot water from the bore I51 to the bore I49 and block the flow of steam from the bore I59 to the bore I50 thereby to cut off the flowof both the steam and hot water to the can washer.

As shown in the wiring diagram, Fig. 5, the electric motor56 and the solenoid MI are connected by lines I and I16 and the line IIti connects with a main power line H8. The other main power line I18 is connected, in series, through a normally closed discharge switch ltll and through a wire Ill and a normally open feed switch I8I with the other line W5 between the electric motor 55 and the solenoid Mi. These switches are shown as being of the mercury tube type each having a glass tube containing a globule of mercury which closes a circuit through the switch when it is tilted so the mercury flows from the bulb of the tube into engagement with the contacts at the base of the tube. The feed switch RSI, as best shown in Figs. 4, l0 and 11, is mounted on a collar I85 fast to a rock shaft I85 journaied on the top wall 33 of the inlet neck 29 and extending traversely of the movement through. When the trailing end of the line of cans passes beyond the curved lever I81, it swings to a pendant position in which the rock shaft I186 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, to move the feed switch to its open position, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The discharge switch I30 is mounted on a collar use fast to a rock shaft RSI 'journaled on a vertical supporting plate H2, as best shown in Figs. i," 10 and 12. To adjust the switch, the supporting plate I92 is adjustably mounted on the rear vertical wall 30 of the outlet neck 3i and for this purpose, the supporting plate I92 is provided with a pair of diagonally upward extending slots I93 through which studs Isa carried by the rear wall 39 of the outlet neck 3i extend. After proper adjustment of the position of the supporting plate I92, nuts I95 on the studs 8% are tightened against the supporting plate is? to hold it. in position.

A. rock arm I96 is fast to the rock shaft Isl and inclines downwardly and in the direction of the line of movement of the cans through the outlet neck 3! through an opening it)? provided in the top wall 34 ofthis outlet neck. At the opposite end of the supporting platel 92, a similar rock shaft W8 and rock arm ISQ are journaled on the supporting plate, the rock arm I99 extending through the opening it? in the top wall 3 5 of the outlet neck parallel with the rock arm 6%. Pivoted to the lower ends of these rock arms ltd and use is the central upstanding web tilt of a shoe 2M. The advance end 202 of this shoe inclines sharply upward and preferably extends upwardly through the opening iii? in the top wall 3% of the outlet neck 3i so as to insure the free movement of the line of cans under this shoe. Immediately above the shoulder id in the bottom wall 3'! of the outlet neck, the bottom of the shoe 2M is formed to provide a curved recessed portion 283 which slopes downwardly in the direction of movement of the cans through the outlet neck, as best shown in Fig. 10. The trailing part 206 of the shoe is horizontally disposed. I

As long as the line of cans is progressing through the outlet neck 3!, as illustrated by full lines in Fig. 10, the shoe 20! is out of contact with the cans and hangs in the pendant position illustrated by full lines in this figure. In the event, however, of an obstruction to the movement of the line of cans leaving the outlet neck 3i, as when the cans are fed to a can filling machine which is intermittently operated or stopped for any purpose, the positive feeding of the cans by the rubber faced wheel ID causes the cans in the outlet neck 3| to pile up. Since the can which has just passed 'over the shoulder ii? in the outlet neck 3! is at a lower elevation than its succeeding can which lies on top of the elevated portion 39 of the bottom wall 3! of the outlet neck, this forced piling up of the cans in the outlet neck causes this last can to ride up on the preceding can which has just passed over the shoulder This upward movement of this rection. asviewed in Fig. 4,

the escape of wash water wall 26 I ears 2"! which are -apertured to of a U-bolt 2I9, these U-bolts embracing the supin which the motor 56; an d deenergized so that theldr'ive wheel III, rotatingandthe supply of hot water and Ito-the can washer and sterilizerls out o ,7 when a line'of cans 2I is admitted to the ljup;

canway 20, the advance, end

' full lineposition I s A the rock shaft I85 to which this arm is fixed and swing n themercry tribe type feed switch III'I Fig. 5 to its closed initially out of Jbejing pressed and rolled between the drive-wheel .f lishes contact between its lines .When this occurs a circuit is established j .through the side I18 ct -the main power'iine, fsolenoidMLline li5and'ithrough closedmercury "70.

slightly. Inthis' event the carrying each shoe I5, as best shown in Fig. 6, "can swing clockwise to the body. Hot water is thereby permitted to flow I from the hot water supply pipe I60, through the I last can causes it toiengage the shoe 20I, as indi- Thi's upward movement of the shoe 20I mercury tube type switch I80 in a clockwise dito its open condition.

In order to enclose the gears at the rear of the can washer and also the radially extending arms 81 of the bell crank levers 86 andtoprevent from the can washer, thesepartsare enclosed by a; sheet metal casing having a peripheral wall 2I0 anda rear flat wall 2. Additionally, this rear wallfis preferably 7 provided witha hub-like rearward extension 2 I 2 eat its center to accommodate the hub of the large gear wheel 66,. This sheet-metal casing is held ,;against the rear wall 21 cf thecylindrical housing 25 bywing nuts 2| 3 securedtothe rear ends of the tie rods 41 and to provide a watertight seal a gasket 2I4 is preferably interposed be.-

tween the front edgeoi the peripheral wan. 2I0 and the bottom part of therear wall 21 of the I cylindrical housing 25;

. .The can washerand sterilizer embodying my invention can be supported inproper relation to" housing is shown as providedin its peripheral with horizontally outwardly projecting brackets 2I5, a pair of these brackets being proi-vided at eachi'side of the can washer and sterllizer, asbestshownin Fig. 2. These brackets 2I5 are provided .with' half round sockets. 2I6 which are adapted to receive supporting rods 2 I I, as indlcatedby dotted Eacnof these'brackets 2I5 isal'so shown as lines in Figs. 2 and 4.

formed to'provide'a pair of-vertically extending receive the legs porting rods 2| I and holding them firmly inthe sockets 2I6. Itwill'be understood that the sup- "porting rods manner, as by suspending themfrom the'c'eiling "of the room in which the canning operations are carried on.

2II can be supported in any suitable Operation When no cans are' being conveyeddown} Q eanway 20, the feed and discharge switche'si0 and I8I are in the positions shownln'Fi'gyj the solenoidlflar 110 stream end of the heated by dotted lines in Fig. 10, and to raisethis shoe. 1 causes the rock shaft ISI to swing the discharge the reduced part the'canway 20 in any suitable manner and for- I this purpose thelower cylindrical part 25 of. the

motor 56, line ,zles I30 provided inthe front wall hot water into the passing line of cans. This movement of the valve stem I to the left, upon energization of the solenoid I, also permits steamto flowfrom the steam supply pipe I58, as viewed in Fig. 9, through the bore I51, around the bore I49 and pipe I24 into the left hand side of the manifold I20, as viewed in Fig. 4. This steam sprays out through the corresponding noz of the manifold I20, as shown in-Figs. 5. 6 and 8, thesesteam nozzles being arranged in semi-circular arrangement in the. casing25 to spray steam into the passing line of cans.

Thisclosing of themercury tube' type feed switch I8! also establishes 'a circuit through the side I18 of the main power line,'line I'I6, electric I15, and mercury tube type switches IBI and I80 to the other side IIQof the }niain power'line. -The.energization of the. motor 56 drives its pulley 58(Fig.3) ,belt Wand-pulley '60 on the shaft .61. Asshown in Fig. 6, therotation oftheshaft 6| drives the pinion 65, gear 66, shaft Ii] and rubber tired drive wheel 1.0,;this

drivewheel I0 being driven in a counter cloclrj wise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10.

from thetlowe'r end of the switch arm III'I- into is directed bythe shelf against the partition 32,, as shown in Fig. 10. This swings the switch normal pendant position to the arm I81 from its shown .in" Fig. l0, this rocking fromthe position shown in position in which its globule of mercury estabe I15 and I".

tubetype switches m, m tothe other side :19

wheel andalso into; xfaceofithe annularserie'sl'of shoes I5.

aces of;thegannularseries of shoes I51are ar- MI. The return spring 95 The leading-can of :the line of CansZI drops engagement with the rubber face I2 of this drive engagement with the inner tace. offthe drive fwheel I0 and the opposing angedj} engasfibthe peripheriesof'the line of I or v ra are initially-arranged so that their openendsface the water nozzles I30 whereby th hiterior of -the cans are violently sprayed with hotfwater. Since the axisv of-. the casing 25 andithe c'oaxial' shaft 6! and its drive wheel I0 are inclined relative to the horizontal, as illustrated in Fig. 6 this wash water immediately flows outof the cans being sprayed and into the bottom of the casing -25from which it drains out through the drain 42.

. "I'h e.lineL-ot cans interposed between the rubber facecldrive wheel 10 and the annular series of :a -shoes' 15 are positively clockwise direction, being first sprayed with hot water and then withsteam from the nozzles I30. This line'of cans, is not, however, propelled at the same speed as .the peripheral speed of the propelled in a counterdr ive'wheel III as each can is rotated in themaner of a gear, so asto expose all internal parts to the sprays. In the event anyof thecans are round they are trued upupon andsthe annular series of shoes I5. -In-ftl1e event that a slightly larger can 2I is encounteredgeachshoe I5 is mounted to yield bell crank lever 86 extent permitted by the adjusting collar for each belI:.-crank the oversize groove I00 in I of the valve stem, through 6 2,333,094 lever 06 serves 0. yieldingly hold the corresponding shoe 1 5 againsteach passing can regardless of inequalities in their size. 7

The can washer, and sterilizer can be set to handle cans ofdifierent sizes. For this purpose the axia'l position of the collar IOI can be adjusted to normally hold'the annular series of shoes I5to the approximate diameter of cans of any size. To 'sogadjust the axial position of the collar IOI, the'operator turns the nuts Iii, Fig. 7, to move the forked lever III to the desired cansize on the scale plate I I2. The lower forked end I09 of the lever, arranged in opposite sides of the oversize groove I00 oi the collar IOI serves to adjust this collar to a corresponding axial position.

The line of cans 2I is pushed by the rubber surfaced drive wheel 10 and the last shoe I5,

upwardly and out through the outlet neck 3| of the can washer. From this outlet neck the cans roll by gravity down the downstream side of the canway 20 to the next stage of process- 'ing.

wheel 10 and the solenoid I is likewise deenergized to permit the return spring I10, Fig. 9, to return the valve stem I axially to its closed position, as viewed in Fig. 9, thereby cutting of! the further supply of hot water and steam. The can washer and sterilizer is thereby rendered completely inoperative.

In the event that the movement of the line of cans in the downstream part of the canway 20 is held up, the positive feeding or the cans into the outlet neck.3I by the rubber suriaced drive wheel 10 and the annular series of shoes causes the cans to pile up in the outlet neck 3|. By the provision of the step 40 in the outlet neck 3|, the can on top of this step is carried to ride up on the preceding can to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 10. This can engages and elevates the shoe I which swings the lever I96 and shaft I9I to tip the discharge mercury tube type switch I80 to its open position. Opening this mercury tube type switch I80 breaks the' circuit through the motor 56 and solenoid Ill and hence renders the entire can washer inoperative in the same manner as when the feed mercury tube type switch I8I is opened. As soon as the congestion or obstruction in the downstream line of cans from the can washer is relieved, the elevated can in the outlet neck 3| drops back, releasing the shoe 20| to its normal pendant position illustrated by full lines in Fig. 10, this restoring the discharge mercury tube type switch I80 to its closed position and hence reestablishing the circuit through the motor 56 and solenoid I to resume the positive feeding of the line of cans through the can washer and their spraying with hot water and steam.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a fully adjustable can washer and sterilizerwhich can readily be inserted in any canway without disturbing or requiring alteration in the can handling system; which positively conveys the cans past the sprays of hot water and steam; which automatically delivers the cans in a drained, sterilized condition; which automatically starts and stops when the leading and trailing end of a line of cars enters or leaves the washer; which automatically stops when the cans delivered by the can washer and sterilizer are held up and automatically starts as soon as the obstruction is relieved; which is simple in construction and reliable in operation; and which 'also serves to true up any cans which happen to be out of round.

I ,claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing, means forming an inlet for a line of cylindrical containers at one side of said housing, meaniforming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite side of said housing, a rotary drive wheel journaled centrally in said housing, said drive wheel having a smooth peripheral face adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers, an annular series of radially yieldable shoes surrounding said drive wheel and adapted to engage the'peripheries of said line of containers on the opposite sides from said drive wheel, said drive wheel driving said line of containers through a circular looped path through the space between said drive wheel and said series of shoes and discharging said line or containers through said outlet, and means for spraying said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversing said circular looped path.

2; Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing, means forming an inlet for a line of cylindrical containers at one side of said housing, means forming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite side of said housmg, a rotary drive wheel journaled centrally in said housing, said drive wheel having a smooth peripheral face adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers, an annular series of shoes surrounding said drive wheel-and adapted to engage the peripheries of said line or containers on the opposite sides from said drive wheel, said inlet being formed to direct said line of containers into the annular space between said drive wheel and said series of shoes and said outlet being formedto receive the containers after being conveyed through said annular space by said drive wheel, a plurality 0! bell crank levers pivoted at their centers to said housing and each having one horizontal arm arranged between a corresponding shoe and the wall of said housing and each having a second arm projecting inwardly toward the axis of said drive wheel, means pivotally connecting each of said horizontal arms with the corresponding shbe, spring means interposed between said bell crank lever and said housing for yieldingly urging said shoes toward said drive wheel and means for spraying said containers with a clean- I ing iluidwhile traversing said annular space.

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing, means forming an inlet for a line of cylindrical containers at one side of said housing, means forming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite side of said housing, a rotary drive wheel journaled centrally in said housing, saiddrive wheel having a smooth peripheral face adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers, an annular series of shoes surrounding said drive wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers on the'opposite sides from said drive wheel, said inlet being formed to direct said line of containers into the annular space between said drive wheel and said series of shoes and said outlet being formed to receive the containers after being conveyed through said annular space by said I rrai iged between 'a I corresponding shoeand hewall o'fsaid' f iqusing and each'having. ajsecendfar'm pr'ojectingfin wardly toward the axis of said'drive wheel, means pivotally connecting eachof said horizontal arms with the corresponding shoe, spring means interposed between said bell crank lever and said housing for yielding urging "said shoes toward said drive wheel, means rior limitingthe movement of said bell crankieversunder the influence of said spring and means tor spraying said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversingfsaid annular space. i

4. Apparatus of the character describedjcomcries of said line of containers, an annular series of shoes surrounding said drive wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers on the opposite sides from said drive wheel, said inlet being formed to direct said line of containers into the annular space between said drive wheel and said series of shoes and said outlet being formed to receive the containers after being conveyed through said annular space by said drivewheel, a plurality of bell'crank levers pivoted at their centers to said housing and each having one horizontal arm arranged between a corresponding shoe and thewall of said housing and each having a second arm projecting inwardly toward the axis of said drive wheel, means pivotally connecting each of said horizontal arms with the corresponding shoe, spring means interposed between said bell crank lever and said housing for yieldingly urging said shoes toward said drive wheel, adjustable means for limiting the movement of said second arms of said bell crank levers under the influence of said spring and means for spraying said containers 1 with a cleaning fluid while traversing said'an nular space.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a housing, means forming an inlet for a line of cylindrical containers at one side of said housing, means forming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite side of said housing, one wall of said housing being formed to provide a bearing projecting outwardly therefrom, a drive shaft journaled in said bearing, a rotary drive wheel fixed to said drive shaft within said hous ing, said drive wheel having a smooth peripheral face adapted to engage the peripheries of'said line of containers, an annular series of shoes surrounding said drive wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers on the opposite sides from said drive wheel, said inlet being formed to direct said line of containers into the annular space between said drive wheel and said series of shoes and said outlet being formed to receive the containers after being conveyed through'said annular space by saiddrive wheel, an annular series of bell crank levers pivotally secured at their centers to that wall of said housing formed to provide said bearing, each of said bell crank levers being formed to provide a horizontal arm projecting toward a corresponding shoe and a second arm projecting toward said horizontal "arms to a corresponding while traversing said annular s shaft; means for I 'v'e heel; a sleeve mounted on said bearingand having a peripheral groove receiving the eorrespo'nding'ends of said bell crank levers and' limiting their movement under the influence of said springs and means for spraying said containers witha cleaning fluid P&C-..

6. Apparatus or the character described, comprising a housin neanslforniingflan inlet for a line of cylindrical containers at one side of said housing, means forminganfoutlet ipr said line or containers at the oppositesid'e of said housing, one wall of said housing being formed to provide a'bearing projecting outwardly therefrom, a drive shaft Journaled insaid bearing, a rotary drive wheel fixed to said drive shaftwith'in said housing, said drive wheel having a smooth peripheral face adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers, an annular series of shoes surrounding said drive wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers on the opposite sides from said drive wheel, said inlet being formed to direct said line of containers into the annular space between said drive wheel and said series of shoes and said outlet being formed to receive the containers after being conveyed through said annular space by said drive wheel, an annular seriesof bell crank levers pivotally secured at their centers to that wall of said housing formed to provide said bearing, each of said bell crank levers being formed to provide a horizontal arm projecting toward a. corresponding shoe and a second arm projecting toward said shaft, means for pivotallysecuring each of said horizontal arms to a corresponding sho'e, spring means connected to each bell crank lever .i'or urging its shoe toward said drive wheel,.a sleeve mounted on said bearingand having-a peripheral groove receiving the corresponding ends'of said bell crank levers and limiting their movement under the influence of said springs, means for adjustably moving said sleeve axially of'said hearing to limit the normal. spacingoisaid series of shoes from said driveiwheeltoi'acedmmodate said annular space to a particularr:size of cans being handled and mean for sprayin said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversing said annular space. I

7. Apparatus "of the characteigdescribed, comprising a housing, means formingan inlet for a line of cylindrical containers at one side of said housing, means forming an outletffor said line of containers at the opposite side otfsaid-housing, a rotary drive wheel journaled cent-rally in said housing, said drive wheel having a smooth peripheral face adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers," an annular" series of radially yieldable shoes surroundin g' 'said drive wheel and adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers on the opposite sides from said drive wheel,-said inletbeing formed to direct said line of containersinto the annular space between said drive Wheel and said series line of cylindrical containers at, one

housing, said toffcontainers into Zdi-ir/ewh'el and sa 7 l et'bei'ng formedtofreceive the containers after flbein' conveyed through said annular space by 7 1 dolilfltblsililffi"3311125816 electric motor being 'substantially'in' the same plane.

- prisingahousing, means in and outlet with each other, a rotary. drive wheel journaled centrally in-said housing-said drive wheel having smooth peripheral face adapted to engage the peripheries of said line of containers, an annusides from means and an electric motor mounted on said housing and driving said countershaft.

, 8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing, means forming an inlet for a side of said housing', means forming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite 'side of said housing, a rotary drive wheel journaled centrally in said drive Wheel havinga smoothv peripher l face adapted tofengage theperipheries of said line ofcontainers, an annular seriesof radiallyyieldable shoes surrounding said drive wheel andadapted'to engage theperipheries of said line a I "of ,containerson theopp os'itej's'ides from said drive .wheel, said inlet vbe'ir' gfformed todirect said line the annular space between said i d se ries of shoes and-said outiv'e wheel, means forspraying said container s with a cleaning fluid while traversing said annular space andmeansfor rotating's'aid rotary means comprising a 'countershaft journaled in aid housin 'f generallyparallel with the axis of ,said'drivewheel, drive means between said coun ,andjsaid rotary means and anelectric ountedon said housing and driving said ersh'aft, the axes of said drive wheel, said 9 Apparatus'oi the character described, coma I the upper part or said 'housi-r'i'g iorrr' ing an inlet fora line of cylindrical containers, an annular of sai'd 'linefof containers onthe opposite sides Pi 'fromsai'd drive wheel, said inlet being'formed to direct said-line of-containersinto the annular *space betWeen said drive wheel and said series said, outlet being formed to receive? *th containers after being conveyed through saidannular spacebyisaid drive wheel, said con ta'iners being conveyed I space with their axes substantially parallel with the axis of said drive ,wheel and with their open :ends at :a lower elevation than their closed ends,"

through said annular means for-spraying a cleaning fluid into the open a ends of said containers while traversing said an;

r 'nular space and housing for draining the fluid l said containers.-

admin at the lower end of said draining out of character described, comforrning an inlet for a 10.: .Apparatusof the prising a 'housing, means line of containers at one side of said housing, "means forming an. outlet for saidline of containadapted to engage the vass;aoee

.seri es.of shoes and saidpartition being formed to direct the containers after being conveyed through said annular space by said drive wheel 11; Apparatus of into said o'litlet' and means-fors'praying said containers with a. cleaning fluid while traversingsaid annular space,

prising a stationary housin means forming: an

inlet for a line of containers atone side of said housing, .r'nean iorming anoutlet for said line of containers at the pposite side ofsaidhou'sing,

rotary means within said'housinfg for conducting said lineof 'containersthrouglia circular looped path throughsaid housing and means for spraying said containers with a ,cleaningl'fluijd while traversing'said circularloo'ped path comprising a loop-shaped manifold securefd to said-housing at one side of the lineof containers traversing said circular looped. path, atplurality or nozzles prof vided 'in' said manifold -anddlrecting cleaning fluid therefrom into the passingfline of containers and means'responsivetothe presence of contain "contai-n' ers, 'means in the upper part of said hens 'ngforming an outlet for said line of containers," a rotary drive wheel'journ'aled centrally said f hous'ing torotate about-an axis inclined'at a slight angleto'the horizontal, said drive wheel having a smooth peripheral face peripheries or Said line of series of radially yieldable' shoes surrounding-said id'rive' wheel andadapted to engage the peripheries movably secure 40 means responsi switch being in, circuit a onecith s de ails iidgih ers for supplying, said cleaning'fiuidto said mani fold) a v 7' 12. Apparatus *ofrthe character 'described-,comprising 1'a}'stationary'- hoi lsing, means forming an inlet, for a lin'ejef lQn fiainersiat one side of said i h using-mean ozmiiigsniouuet for said line oficontain is a the' opp'ositesid jo'f saidho'usin rotary mean within-said housing for conducting ers ugh" circular looped eans for spraycleaning 'fluid while d 'pathj comprising oi v ,tegially with said ousing'and arranged n orc ntainers traversing said h' rummage; nozzles reoldand arranged from said'mani- :"containers, and

circularloo to direct spray foldintoi the fors'upplyingid 1anin-g uid' "id-said manifold. 1 13. Apparatus oiling-character described, come prising a stationary lhous'ingj 'r'neans forming an- I inlet for aimed-containers at oneside of said I housing, means fo'rming'an outlet for said. line of containers-atthe opposite side of said housing,

rotary means-within said housing for conducting said line of containers through a circular looped pathv t rough said housing, I an electric motor drivingsaid rotary means, an arm arranged-in the patho'i the li heof containers entering said housing, acnormallyfope'ned switch actuated by said aim, said am being moved by the leading end of theline of containers toxclose said switch, said to energize said motor in response to hemovement'of the lin of containersinto. said'ihousing and means 'forspraying saldg container'siwith a cleaning fluid while traversing saidcircularlooped 'ers at the opposite side of said housing, said inlet a being substantially in axial alinement path.

I 14. Apparatus'of the character'describerh'comprisingastationary-"housing,means forming an iar'series of radially yieldable shoessurroun'ding said drive wheel and adapted to engage-thefperipheries of tlon formed in said housing between said inlet and-saidooutlet, said partition being formed to direct the containers 'from said inlet into the annular space between said drive wheel and, said said line of containers on the opposite said drive wheel, an internal parti ,inlet for a' line of containers at housing, means forming' an outlet for said line of containersat th opposite side of saidhousing, rotary means within saidhousing; for'conducting said line of containers-through a circular looped path througlisaid housing-flanelectric motor vdriving said rotary "zneansgmeans for, spraying said containersfwith a cleaning fluid whiler traversing said circular looped path, a normally closed electrically actuatedvalve controlling the admission of cleaning fluidto said spraying ale chatter d s I with said'rimo rizgthereby' one side of said asap means, an arm arranged in the path of the line oi containers entering said housing, and a'normally opened switch actuated by said arm, said arm being moved by the leading end of the line of containers to close said switch, said switch being in circuit with said motor and said electrically actuated valve thereby to energize said motor and open said valve in response to the movement of the line of containers into said housing.

15. Apparatus of the character described, come prising a stationary housing, means forming an inlet for a line of containers at one side of said housing, means forming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite side of said housing, rotary means within said housing for conducting said line of containers through a circular looped path through said housing, an electric motor driving said rotary means, a movable arm arranged adjacent the line of containers leaving said housing and arranged to be moved in response to the congestion of said line or leaving containers caused by an obstruction to their movement beyond said housing, a normally closed switch actuated by said arm, said arm being moved in response to said congestion of containers to open said switch and deenergize said motor when said congestion occurs and means for spraying said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversing said circular looped path.

16. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a stationary housing, means forming an inlet for a line of containers at one side of said housing, mean forming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite side of said housing, rotary means within said housing for conducting said line of containers through a circular looped path through said housing, an electric motor driving said rotary means, means for spraying said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversing said circular looped path, a normally closed electrically actuated valve controlling the admission of cleaning fluid to said spraying means, a movable arm arranged adjacent the line of containers leaving said housing and arranged to be moved in response to the congestion of said line of leaving containers caused by an obstruction to their movement beyond said housing, a normally closed switch actuated by said arm, said arm being moved in response to said congestion of containers to open said switch, said switch being in circuit with said motor and said electrically actuated valve thereby to deenergize said motor and close said valve in response to the movement of said switch arm when said congestion occurs.

17. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a stationary housing, means forming an inlet for a line of containers at one side of said housing, means forming an outlet for said line of containers at the opposite side of said housing, rotary means'within said housing for conducting said line of containers through a circular looped path through said housing, an electric motor driving said rotary means, an arm arranged in the path of the line of containers entering said housing, a normally opened switch actuated by said arm, said arm being moved by the leading end of the line of containers to close said switch, a movable arm arranged adjacent the line of containers leaving said housing and arranged to be moved in response to the congestion of said line of leaving containers caused by an obstruction to their movement beyond said housing, a normally closed switch actuated by said arm, said arm being moved in response to said congestion of containers to open said switch,

means connecting said switches in series with said motor and means for spraying said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversing said circular looped path.

18. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a stationary cylindrical housing having a substantially horizontal axis, means at the top of said housing forming an inlet for a line of containers, means at the top of said housing forming an outlet for said line of containers, said inlet and outlet opening in opposite directions and being in line with each other along an axis which is substantially tangential to said housing, a rotor arranged substantially concentrically within said housing-to rotate about said axis of said housing, means carried by said rotor and said housing to move said containers through a circula'r looped path around the peripheral wall of said housing through motion derived from said rotor, means for spraying said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversing said circular looped path and means for-rotating said rotor.

19. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a stationary cylindrical housing having its axis slightly inclined from the horizontal, means at the top of said housing forming an inlet for a line of containers, means at the top of said housing forming an outlet for said line of containers, said inlet and outlet opening in opposite directions and being in line with each other along an axis which is substantially tangential to said housing, a rotor arranged substantially concentrically within said housing to rotate about said axis of said housing, means carried by said rotor and said housing to move said containers through a circular looped path around the peripheral wall of said housing through motion derived from said rotor, means for spraying said containers with a cleaning fluid while traversing said circular looped path and means for rotating said rotor. WILLIAM DE BACK. 

